Developmental Trauma is a term used to describe childhood trauma such as chronic abuse, neglect or other harsh adversity occurring in various settings. Psychotherapy services for developmental trauma are based on the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT™). What is NMT™? The Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT)™ is a developmentally sensitive, neurobiology-informed approach to clinical problem solving. NMT™ is not a specific therapeutic technique or intervention. It is an approach that integrates core principles of neurodevelopment and traumatology to inform work with adults, children, families and the communities in which they live. The Neurosequential Approach has three key components – training/capacity building, assessment and then, the specific recommendations for the selection and sequencing of therapeutic, educational and enrichment activities that match the needs and strengths of the individual. Recommendations from the NMT™ are broadly based in relational health, self-regulation, sensory integration, and cognitive development. Psychotherapy focuses on how a person’s childhood trauma manifests in daily challenges such as emotional regulation, self-compassion, vulnerability, body awareness, etc. Psychotherapy utilized in clinic is based on various therapy models (emotion-focused, compassion-focused, body-based approaches, etc.) that will be formed into a treatment plan to meet the unique needs of the person.

Traumatic grief is the loss of a person or animal that is beyond mourning and often seen as traumatic. It can be shocking in its intensity with the manner of which the loss occurs and often overwhelms the person’s ability to cope. We can feel uprooted, and insecure, and our trust in the world has often changed. Psychotherapy services are provided under the ATTEND (attunement, trust, touch, egalitarianism, nuance, and death education) model of care. The ATTEND model utilized from the Compassionate Bereavement Care (CBC) framework by Dr. Joanne Cacciatore. A person’s grief experience is unique to the person in connection with the human or animal in someone’s life who died in a traumatic manner making therapy also a unique and individualized experience within the lens of the CBC approach.

The Mindfulness, Meaning, and Self-Compassion (MMSC) esketamine-assisted psychotherapy clinic uses an integrative therapeutic approach combining mindfulness, self-compassion, and meaning to approach non-ordinary states of conscious. Our hope in this psychotherapy is to utilize the neuroplasticity of the brain to create new ways of approaching situations from the past and present. As you prepare for or continue the dosing sessions, we want to encourage approaching them with an attitude of openness, curiosity, and acceptance, as much as possible. Sessions are offered through telemedicine within 24-48 hours of dosing and/or in person for an integration session directly following dosing.

We recognize that an individual’s sense of self is affected by a set of physical, psychological, and interpersonal characteristics that is not wholly shared with any other person. Identity can include a range of affiliations (e.g., race, sexual orientation) and social roles impacting our view of self, others, and the world. Dr. Crenshaw coined intersectionality as "a metaphor for understanding the ways that multiple forms of inequality or disadvantage sometimes compound themselves and create obstacles that often are not understood among conventional ways of thinking." We practice under the awareness that identities influence lived experiences including experiences in therapy, healthcare, relationships, and within generational trauma and/or grief.

Do we take insurance?

We accept Viva Health, most Blue Cross plans, and most Medicare plans. Because policies vary greatly on what is covered for behavioral healthcare, it is important for patients to call their insurance to understand what they may be financially responsible for and if we are in-network.

What would I have to pay?

Your insurance benefits will be verified and Dr. Rampe bills insurance for the time she observes a session. Billing procedures for the clinic do not differ from the policies outlined by the department. Below is a cost estimate for the following sessions associated with the clinic. These are the estimated cash pay amount associated with each code; however, most insurances will require a small copayment (typically $20-30 per session). Please check with your insurance to see what your financial responsibility will be for services.

Intake appointment for interview (90791: $377, 96130)

Ongoing/regular therapy sessions (90832: $156, 90834: $201, 90837: $295)

Do we offer a sliding scale or private pay?

Not at this time. Patients are required to have insurance.

Do we offer in-person services?

Dr. Rampe sees patients in-person but the graduate clinicians or interns do not at this time.

How long are therapy sessions?

Typically 53-60 minutes. Sessions in clinic are offered weekly.

What telemedicine platform do we use?

We utilize a HIPAA compliant platform named Teledoc.

Do I have to live in Birmingham?

No, we can provide services to patients who are in the state of Alabama.

Do you host programming?

Dr. Rampe is always open to providing workshops and educational sessions for various groups. We hope to start offering more regular workshops through the clinic but in the meantime, contact Dr. Rampe at rrampe@uabmc.edu with any inquiries.

This clinic offers an advanced practicum to doctoral graduate students and doctoral students on internship. All positions in the clinic are currently full for the 24-25 year. Please contact Dr. Rampe for more information.